This is Calgary
Let’s get into the curiosities and constants that make Calgary a wonderful and sometimes frustrating place to call home. One story and conversation at a time. Hosted by Jenny Howe. Every Wednesday.
S2 E29 · Wed, April 16, 2025
Take a number! Free English language classes for new Calgarians can’t meet demand
Newcomers in Calgary count on free language classes provided by the federal government to give them language tools to make the city home. But often they're stuck waiting months for a chance to learn. And with immigration targets being lowered, the funding taps for these classes are turning off.
S2 E19 · Wed, April 09, 2025
We need to talk about what 16th Avenue looks like
Talk about 50 shades of grey! Sixteenth Avenue is a major gateway road in this city, but it leaves a little something to be desired aesthetically. We'll explore why this roadway looks the way it does, its unique history and if there's any hope for a better, more colourful future.
Bonus · Tue, April 08, 2025
Jenny Howe takes over as host of This is Calgary
Starting on April 9th, Jenny Howe is the new host of This is Calgary. She can't hop in front of the mic though without a few words of wisdom from outgoing host Anis Heydari. New host, same obsession with the things we love about Calgary and the things we just don't understand (yet).
S2 E18 · Wed, April 02, 2025
Why Cowboys gets to pave over part of a park - sort of!
Saddle up and head on down to Cowboys - the park! In downtown Calgary, Millennium Park is no longer. It's now Cowboys Park, and not everyone is happy about it. Ride along with us as we find out how this all went down.
S2 E17 · Wed, March 26, 2025
Sweeper? I hardly even know her! Queer curling in Calgary
This city's curling scene has a lot of 2SLGBTQ players these days. There's an entire league dedicated to the community that rocks the North Hill Curling Club every Saturday - and the city will soon host what might be the largest gay curling bonspiel in the world. We catch Apollo Curling on the sheets this week.
S2 E16 · Wed, March 19, 2025
What it's like when your home went from boardroom to bedroom
Downtown Calgary used to be nothing but the hustle and bustle of thousands of office workers. But not so much. Between the work-from-home movement and oil crashes, commercial towers emptied out in this city - and now they're being turned into condos. So what's it like to live in a converted office? We talk to some residents and a developer about life on the inside of an office conversion.
S2 E15 · Wed, March 12, 2025
Tariffs: yeah, but what about Alberta?
Yeah, we know everyone is talking about it. Tariffs. It's not just about the big players though. We talk to Calgary underwear company Devon + Lang and trade expert Carlo Dade about what the changing relationship with our neighbours means for business in this city and province, and why the Canada-U.S. relationship isn't about friendship.
S1 E14 · Wed, March 05, 2025
What's next for a skyline sans Saddledome
The seat known around the world will be gone and Calgary's skyline will forever be changed sometime around 2027, after the Saddledome is demolished. Our city keeps growing up - literally. So is Calgary outgrowing its traditional postcard views, as we move past icons like the Calgary Tower and the soon-to-be-departed Saddledome? We talk with architect David Down about how our literal view of Calgary has changed, and will change.
S2 E13 · Wed, February 26, 2025
These three rookie councillors are dumping politics after one date. Why?
After one term, Councillors Courtney Walcott, Jasmine Mian and Evan Spencer have announced they won't run again in the upcoming municipal election. From feeling gross to maxing out a pain tolerance, hear about their experiences and why they're out.
S2 E12 · Wed, February 19, 2025
Guilty of fraud ... the trial & tribulations of Joe Magliocca
In late January, former city councillor Joe Magliocca was found guilty of fraud. It all comes back to expense claims around meals and drinks from his time in office. Stick with us as we hear about his trial, and learn more about Magliocca's sometimes colourful time on council.
S2 E11 · Wed, February 12, 2025
Is Calgary full of NIMBYs? Maybe...
New home developments are often opposed by people who say "Not In My Backyard" — and Calgarians are sometimes labelled as NIMBY when they want to avoid more dense housing near their existing properties. We hear from a Calgarian frustrated by a new project he thinks doesn't match his neighbourhood, and a developer who talks about how to avoid residents saying "no" to anything near their backyards.
S2 E10 · Wed, February 05, 2025
Say our city's name right, Saskatchewan!
Our friends to the East have this habit. They tend to say Calgary weird. We don't like it, but we want to know why they do it. Luckily, our sister podcast in Saskatchewan looked into it!
S2 E9 · Wed, January 29, 2025
How young Calgary conservatives say "betrayal" got them into politics
The federal Conservatives have openly bragged about how young people are getting more involved with their party than one might guess, based on stereotypes and clichés about teenagers and voters without much grey hair. Hear straight from two young Calgarians why they got involved in federal politics, and what the next federal election means to conservatives under 25 in this city.
S2 E8 · Wed, December 18, 2024
From chapstick to cowboy boots, newcomers to Calgary talk about moving here
Calgary has been experiencing a rate of population growth not seen since the 1980s. We talk with three newcomers to Calgary — from elsewhere in Canada, Kenya and Ukraine — to hear what surprised them about the big move.
S2 E7 · Wed, December 11, 2024
How getting 'bums in seats' and competing with Taylor Swift drive live music in YYC
Music venues in Calgary face a lot of challenges when it comes to keeping live music alive in this city. Places like Mikey's or the Blues Can have even had to relocate at times - sometimes repeatedly. We ask what the challenges are when you want to host music in this city - and explain why some say Taylor Swift is the problem, it's her.
S2 E6 · Wed, December 04, 2024
Why Calgary restaurants are so hot, even Pedro Pascal likes them!
With stars savouring Calgary's many menus, we need to talk about our restaurant scene that's tastier by the day. A Concorde Group boss as well as restaurant critic Elizabeth Carson serve up hot takes with Anis.
S2 E5 · Wed, November 27, 2024
Real people and spicy councillors. It's city budget time!
Late every fall, city councillors and the mayor huddle up and spend all your tax dollars. From last minute pleas to save pools to which councillor goes to Blowers and Grafton, we break down the budget debate and why you should care.
S2 E4 · Wed, November 20, 2024
Fixing main streets is throwing us for a (Marda) loop
The City has plans to improve some of the main streets all across Calgary. But just like a home reno, construction often takes longer - and is a worse experience - than you ever expect. So what is even happening when it comes to these main drags? We head to ground zero of Marda Loop's revamp to hear from the people who live there, the businesses that work there, and the City itself.
S2 E3 · Wed, November 13, 2024
Is Calgary still an Olympic city?
Can't you feel it? Or has the spirit aged out of Calgary, more than 36 years after the Olympic Winter Games hit the city? The bricks that line downtown's Olympic Plaza are the latest physical symbol of Calgary's Olympic legacy that may be going away - so we ask if the city still has a place on the podium.
S2 E2 · Wed, November 06, 2024
Is Inglewood still Inglewood?
Calgary's quirkiest neighbourhood is known for its independent shops, funky characters and unique vibes. But times are changin' in the city, and Inglewood faces its own pressures from chain restaurants and condo developers. Two Inglewood champions join us to go over the tug of war in town.
S2 E1 · Wed, October 30, 2024
How the Green Line became a runaway train with no track
We backtrack the saga of the Green Line LRT project over the past few years to explain how and why it's stalled. Josh Pagé walks Anis Heydari through the votes, studies, politics and money that's led to a lot of cash being spent on a train that doesn't go anywhere yet.
S1 E22 · Wed, June 19, 2024
Behind the scenes of Calgary's iconic honky-tonk, Ranchman's
With the Calgary Stampede looming closer, we take you behind the scenes of one of the city's most legendary hotspots for cowboys and cowgirls alike. We peek behind the saddles at Ranchman's, with someone who has worked there for nearly four decades!
S1 E21 · Wed, June 12, 2024
All about the downtown penetrator (we swear, it was for cars)
You read that name right. Calgary almost had a freeway called the 'downtown penetrator' — almost! The CBC's Jason Markusoff drops by to explain how Calgary nearly pierced through the core of the city, with what could be the worst name ever for major civic infrastructure.
S1 E20 · Wed, June 05, 2024
How Calgary's "insane" housing market keeps defying logic
Another month, another bump in housing prices. Condos, duplexes, detached - doesn't matter. Real estate agent Nadine Faule walks us through what it's like to be a buyer out there.
S1 E19 · Wed, May 29, 2024
Calgary is a country music city, but how?
All that twang had to come from somewhere! Local ethnomusicologist Mike Tod offers us a history lesson, and Southern Alberta's own country star MacKenzie Porter joins us from Nashville to talk about today's country sound.
S1 E18 · Wed, May 22, 2024
Electric bikes: pathway scourge or convenient car replacement?
It's cycling season in Calgary (if you're not one of the hardcore winter riders putting us all to shame) and the e-bikes are out. We talk about what you can — and what you can't — do on an e-bike, with someone who really loves them.
S1 E17 · Wed, May 15, 2024
Yes, there ARE more potholes this year in Calgary — so what's going on?
Yeah, it's pothole season. And this year, it FEELS like there are more cracks and crevices than usual. It's not just a feeling! We have facts! The city's chief pothole filler tells us how many there are, and how you can get the one that wrecked your alignment fixed.
S1 E16 · Wed, May 08, 2024
The magic that wasn't: goodbye to the 90s teal of Eau Claire Market
The Eau Claire Market is soon to be demolished, so it's time to look back at what went right, what went wrong and what's next for the downtown project that never really worked. Failure or not, Calgarians felt strongly about the now-dead mall and the magic it promised, so we talk to a literal magician about what it was like to perform there, and a former city councillor about what it's like to finally say "eau" revoir.
S1 Enull · Mon, May 06, 2024
Send us your potholes!
We've got a special episode coming up on potholes in Calgary - so we need you to email anis@cbc.ca with the potholes you hate the most. Email us a voice memo with your name, where your pothole is, what's terrible about it - and heck, let us know what you named it (if you name your potholes). It could air on a future episode!
S1 E15 · Wed, May 01, 2024
Poplar trees are the popular tree Calgary loves to hate
Big, brittle, sticky and fluffy. Calgary is a city of poplar trees, but they aren't always popular with the public. Master arborist Gerard Fournier tells us how we got so many of these trees. And you can blame Ottawa!
S1 E14 · Wed, April 24, 2024
Calgary is now the Blue Sky City — what?
We're going through a rebrand here in Calgary - we're now the "Blue Sky City!" Do you love it? Do you hate it? Do you have any idea what it means? Brand expert Alyssa Berry joins us on why a lukewarm reception might be perfect.
S1 E13 · Wed, April 17, 2024
We need to talk about blanket zoning, Calgary
City council is about to decide if it wants to make it simpler to knock down a bungalow and build a row house. This could help ease the affordability crunch, and could lead to neighbourhoods that don't look like they were intended to. With emotion on all sides, we hear from a community opposed, and why the city says it's time to get cozy with this blanket.
S1 E12 · Wed, April 10, 2024
Calgary has a growing tech sector, and one of its hubs is a fancy parking lot
You know that snazzy parkade near the downtown library? It's part of a maturing tech sector in what's traditionally an oil and gas town. We hear from Platform Calgary, and a medical software company, on how to make it in tech.
S1 E11 · Wed, April 03, 2024
Wrestling is having a moment — and Calgary is smack in the middle of it
WWE's biggest event of the year is this weekend, WrestleMania! From Bret Hart to Stampede Wrestling, Calgary has a defining role in the history of pro wrestling. Sharpshooters, anyone? Local superstar Kat Von Heez and one of the owners of CanAm Wrestling, Otto Gentile, join us on the mic to see how the local shows are surging in the midst of it all.
Bonus · Fri, March 29, 2024
BONUS: Josh went to Costco
After wasting his money on a Costco membership he never used, producer Josh Pagé finally went big and bulk. How did he do? There's only one person to ask: YYC Costco Lover, Tina Chow.
S1 E10 · Wed, March 27, 2024
What life and school is like in Calgary for queer kids today
We talk with queer kids about changes coming to how this province treats 2SLGBTQ+ youth, and how they are feeling weeks after the Alberta government proposed — but hasn't passed — new laws.
S1 E9 · Wed, March 20, 2024
Why a price cut at every Calgary store isn't actually a bargain
Inflation is dropping these days. But frustratingly when shopping, nothing looks cheaper! Why don't things feel better for Canadians? We have economist Charles St-Arnaud to explain what's happening — and why inflation can actually be good.
S1 E8 · Wed, March 13, 2024
Sometimes a chinook just isn't enough! Why the weather sucks, and the wind blows in Calgary
There's a saying in this city: "if you don't like the weather, wait five minutes." We'll take 20 minutes with weather expert Kyle Brittain to break down the wild and wacky reasons why Calgary's weather is so unique.
S1 E7 · Wed, March 06, 2024
Don't feed the coyotes — and other insights on our city's relationship with wild canines
This city has coyotes trotting through parks and sauntering through streets. But Calgarians don't always get along too well with the wild animals. A world-leading coyote expert joins us to talk about co-existing with these canines, and what's underneath conflict when it happens.
S1 E6 · Wed, February 28, 2024
YYC Costco lover Tina Chow says buy now, think later, and listen now!
Calgary and its Costcos. We live in bulk here. Just look at the more than 94,000 members of the YYC Costco Lovers Facebook page. Every day you can see what's hot, what's not, and which store has that chair you want so badly, but just can't seem to find. The group's founder, Tina Chow, joins us for all things Kirkland.
S1 E5 · Wed, February 21, 2024
Calgary's weird obsession with quadrants
Are you NW, SW, SE or NE? Unless you live right on Centre Street, you live in one of the four slices that make up Calgary's geographic pie. But why are we so attached to specific two-letter abbreviations after our addresses? Hear how the ways we feel about our quadrants could change as the city gets bigger.
S1 E4 · Wed, February 14, 2024
The famous Calgary foods you know — plus those you don't
Sit down and feast on the history of Calgary's great food exports with us. We talk with food writer and cookbook author Dan Clapson about the Caesar and ginger beef, and discover two other creations we can take pride in.
S1 E3 · Wed, February 07, 2024
Can Calgary charge one million electric vehicles at once? You might be shocked
What happens if everyone get an electric car - and everyone needs to charge it at once? We know the push is on to move Calgarians to electric vehicles. But we also know Alberta's electricity grid has struggled through recent weather. So get your calculators out because it's time to carry the ones and answer this once and for all with the help of energy economist Blake Shaffer.
S1 E2 · Wed, January 31, 2024
Even in Calgary, influencers make a killing
Calgary has a lot to do - from arts and culture, to bars and restaurants, to outdoor and indoor sports. But many of the folks you see doing things in this city on social media like Instagram and TikTok aren't just having fun. They're making money. We find out how - and how much.
S1 E1 · Wed, January 24, 2024
What's Calgary's worst commute?
With billions of dollars going into blacktop in and around the city - is anything getting better? There’s only one way to find out. We drive the worst spots ourselves and learn about what creative solutions are being studied right here in Calgary. Tolls anyone?
Trailer · Tue, January 23, 2024
Introducing: This is Calgary
Calgary, let's get into the stories that define this city - the curiosities that we have and all those unique moments that make Calgary, Calgary. Come along for the ride as we interview Calgarians who have all the answers to life’s questions in this city.
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